COCOMI Women's Wing seeks NCW's aid for women amid crisis
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 27 2024:
The Women's Wing of Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) on Saturday submitted a memorandum to the chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), urging to recommend crucial initiatives to the Government of India for ensuring welfare of the women living in the trouble-torn state.
The memorandum expressed profound gratitude to the Chairperson for her visit to the troubled state of Manipur.
The COCOMI Women's Wing highlighted various landmark initiatives for women's safety and welfare that have been implemented across the country under her guidance.
These include the women helpline launched in 2021, access to one-stop centres, entrepreneurship programs, and the Digital Shakti' campaigns, all of which have significantly empowered women nationwide.
The memorandum also acknowledged her bold initiatives, such as a week-long visit to Jammu and Kashmir and the creation of a separate cell to address regional issues, which provided hope for women victims of violence.
Her mega webinar focused on women from the Northeast living in metropolitan cities was particularly noted for showcasing her unwavering commitment to the welfare of women living on the periphery of the country.
The memorandum detailed the plight of the women in Manipur since the violence that erupted on May 3 last year.
Among the more than 60,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), over half are women and children.
Their homes and properties have been completely destroyed in arson activities, leaving them languishing in relief camps, dependent on government aid and the generosity of civilians.
A major issue in these camps is the lack of privacy for housewives and girl children.
Absence of personal space for study and psychological health has severely impacted women and adolescent girls.
This situation threatens the already shrinking Meetei population, potentially reducing the population growth rate in the coming years.
The girl students are not studying properly, jeopardizing their future prospects.
Another pressing issue is the dire economic situation of the IDPs.
The women have lost their workplaces and remain without any income.
The limited aid from the government and generous individuals is insufficient to meet their daily needs.
Lack of a respectable space raises concerns about the moral wellbeing of adolescent teenage girls, who are at risk of becoming vulnerable and losing their dignity in society.
In light of these circumstances, the COCOMI Women's Wing requested the NCW Chairperson to take several actions.
These include creation of a dedicated monitoring cell within the National Commission to constantly monitor and collect factual data on the sufferings of victimised women from the ground and take immediate remedial actions.
They also proposed the establishment of a special economic centre in collaboration with the National Disaster Relief Force, National Disaster Management Authority, or other government bodies, funded by corporate social responsibilities from various reputed companies.
This centre would serve as a workplace for women victims of violence, giving them a chance to live with respect.
The memorandum further urged the NCW Chairperson to recommend and pressurise the Central and state governments to set up dedicated girls' hostels for the victim girls of the state.
These hostels would provide a safe space for their normal studies.
Additionally, they appealed for the engagement of various educational trusts across the country to sponsor female victims, facilitating their enrolment in educational institutions for appropriate and comprehensive study programs.
Finally, they sought the initiation of specific innovative policies and programs to ensure the proper rehabilitation of women victims of the unprecedented violence in the state.
The COCOMI Women's Wing also expressed hope that their plea will prompt swift action and bring much-needed relief and support to the women and children suffering in the state.
Comment
